The BJP challenges UPA to dare to dismiss the Narendra Modi Govt after the MPs of the ruling combine raised the demand for its removal in Parliament, reports Shekhar Iyer.

The BJP has challenged Congress-led UPA government to dare to dismiss the Narendra Modi government on the issue of fake encounter killings after the MPs of the ruling combine raised the demand for its removal in Parliament on Monday.

Accusing the UPA of deliberating disrupting Parliament on the issue when the Supreme Court was hearing the matter, BJP depuy leader in Lok Sabha VK Malhotra said, "they are demanding the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister for the encounter killings, which are under proper investigation. Our counter question is whether Union Home Minister resign for the Delhi encounter deaths or Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister for the high incidence in his state?"

Malhotra said if the UPA government "dared" to remove the Modi government on this issue, "the five crore Gujaratis will teach the Congress a good lesson."

Asked why the BJP was opposed to Parliament discussing the killings, Malhotra said it must discuss all encounter killings and human rights violations in all states including the Nandigram episode. "You cannot say the House cannot discuss Nandigram because it is a state subject and the matter is sub-judice but Gujarat can be discussed."

He said when the Supreme Court was monitoring the probe undertaken by the Gujarat CID, the Congress and the Left were making it an issue with an eye on the last phase of the UP polls to woo Muslim votes.

Malhotra said Rahul Gandhi who had sat on dharna last year when the Opposition disrupted Parliament should retrospect on what the treasury benches were doing now.

The BJP spokesperson also came down heavily on HRD Minister Arjun Singh for denying an invite to the BJP for the official celebrations to mark 150 years of the First War of Independence.

When asked about reports that Sohrabuddin Sheikh might have been eliminated for his alleged involvement in the "fake" CD scandal in which top BJP leader Sanjay Joshi had allegedly been "trapped", Malhotra said, "the Supreme Court is looking into all aspects of the case."